Tires - Can't decided!

Which tires should I go for?

  • Duratrac Load C

    Votes: 14 25.0%
  • Toyo OC AT2 Load C

    Votes: 9 16.1%
  • BFG KO2 Load D

    Votes: 32 57.1%
  • Dick Cepek Fun Country Load E

    Votes: 1 1.8%

  • Total voters
    56
I guess I should also mention my buddy and I have the same trip to work on a daily basis, so the MPG being the same isn't because I drive highway/he drives city or whatever. His Duratracs are C- if I remember right. He also runs them at 30-something PSI, while I run my E's at 45PSI. Filled up last night with 14 gallons, and I was at 218 miles to the tank-
4a6b0a0dc0bc5da8bd87b757c5338d7d.png

I haven't checked my gears, but I'm assuming they're 4.30's.

What are the sidewall specs of your tire? I'm curious about the need to run 45 psi.
 
What are the sidewall specs of your tire? I'm curious about the need to run 45 psi.

What sidewall specs are you referring to, specifically?
There has been a LOT of discussion on what PSI to run on E rated tires on Toyotas, and there is also the personal-preference factor. My ride is not harsh, my grip is great, my MPG and drivability(coasting without slowing fast) is great, my tire wear is perfect. It's not that there is a need to run 45psi, but it's what I like to run. I air them down to 30psi when we have ice/snow for better grip, and end up not even using 4WD in most areas(manual locking hubs + lazy = me).
If the sidewall spec you were curious about is the PSI, here is a shot for you-
27cbe0a1a7376a44593a8029e055bdaa.jpg
 
I bought load range C 265/75R16 Duratracs and I love them. I have done mostly rock crawling type trails and they have held up well. I drive 20k miles per year in my 4Runner so weight was a big concern for me. I hated that the KO2s were so dang heavy but I have only seen #s for the E-rated KO2s. If there is indeed a load range D 265/75R16 KO2 that weighs in between the duratrac and E-rated tire then the KO2 sounds like it would work well for you. But like somebody else said- if you aren't putting a ton of miles on the truck then I'm not sure why you wouldn't go for the E-rated KO2. However, I guess the only reason I say that is I have a bit more confidence in the sidewall on the E-rated KO2 than my duratracs... but if you aren't going rock crawling your chances of slicing a sidewall are very low, which leads me back to recommending the C-rated Duratrac.
 
What sidewall specs are you referring to, specifically?
There has been a LOT of discussion on what PSI to run on E rated tires on Toyotas, and there is also the personal-preference factor. My ride is not harsh, my grip is great, my MPG and drivability(coasting without slowing fast) is great, my tire wear is perfect. It's not that there is a need to run 45psi, but it's what I like to run. I air them down to 30psi when we have ice/snow for better grip, and end up not even using 4WD in most areas(manual locking hubs + lazy = me).
If the sidewall spec you were curious about is the PSI, here is a shot for you-
27cbe0a1a7376a44593a8029e055bdaa.jpg

Thanks for the picture. Yeah I was curious what the load and max psi were. The shop put 35 psi in my 265/75 AT51's and it was rough. They are 2600 lbs at 51 PSI.
 
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I'm confused. About a lot of things. But this one is about 265/75 R16 rubbing with no lift. I searched and found threads saying that they will not rub, it's OK. But then other threads say the KO2's will rub, presumably because of the treads. Can anyone help with my confusion?

I am working on getting snow chain clearance with KO2's. Follow it here and there might be info you gain.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/231646-minimalist-265-75-16-tire-clearance-solution.html
 
The thing is, I will use it as an adventure vehicle, which can mean (and will mean) long, long road trips and exploration. So, the MPG matters not on a $$ standpoint, but for convenience. If the tank was 80 gallons, I wouldn't care, but with the 18.5 gallon of gas we carry, it does not take you very far.
I'm in on the Rotopax group buy to score a few gas cans to mount on my rack, but still.

Coopers, at least the ST Maxx, are interesting in the E range of tires. I will research them and find some feedback. Same for the Hankook, it does not hurt.


I am in a very similar situation on use. I have been fortunate to have a lot of different vehicles that are used on paved and dirt roads. (Farming/Ranching, Hunting, etc.) We have ran all different brands and kinds of tires over the years. Here is what we have come up with as a general rule for our use. Les Schwab branded tires are cheap less quality tires made by Kelly and other low cost companies. Toyo makes a great HT/AT tire. Maxxis makes a great Mud Tire that is tough. Goodyear is one of the best tires regardless of tread pattern. BF Goodrich makes a great tire regardless of tread pattern and the KO2 is much better all the way around then the last pattern. Cooper makes an awesome "pure snow" tire, but not so well performing pavement. Hankook makes a super long lasting and decent AT tire, but they are a little hard off the pavement for best traction.

Out of the tires you listed and for what you are going to do....KO2. My 96 gets 20mpg at 60-65mph before I put them on (running a LT highway tread) and gets 20mpg after I put them on.
 
It seems like I should just go for the E tires. And the KO2s have a lot of fans here, which somehow makes me feel a little more comfortable than the Duratracs' reviews.

I was researching other E options yesterday, and that's where I'm at now:
- KO2
- Dick Cepek Fun Country
- Toyo OC R/T
- Cooper ST Maxx

The Toyo and Dick Cepek really appeal to me, would they be a little more able than the KO2s on mud?


As far as PA goes, it would be either Pittsburg or Hershey - depends where my wife matches for Residency.
 
It seems like I should just go for the E tires. And the KO2s have a lot of fans here, which somehow makes me feel a little more comfortable than the Duratracs' reviews.

I was researching other E options yesterday, and that's where I'm at now:
- KO2
- Dick Cepek Fun Country
- Toyo OC R/T
- Cooper ST Maxx

The Toyo and Dick Cepek really appeal to me, would they be a little more able than the KO2s on mud?


As far as PA goes, it would be either Pittsburg or Hershey - depends where my wife matches for Residency.

Nice! I'm in Wampum but work in Cranberry, both real close to Pittsburgh.

Better think of undercoating before you move out here. ;) Fluid Film is what I use.
 
Thanks man, undercoating would be a good idea indeed!
How's winter so far where you are?

Boring as hell.

Still waiting for the big one to hit and dump a foot or two but very minor so far.

There were two days were precipitation was 100%.....but it was almost 60 degrees out. The weather is way off these days.

This was last year:

 
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I run the Cooper ST Maxx's and have very impressed with them. Surprisingly so, they seen to do everything well and are quite quiet to boot.
 
Man I do miss the snow! Grew up in the Northeast of France, so SoCal is quite different!
At least this year you don't have to stop and tow the Jeeps that would be strained by the snow ;)


I'm really hot about the ST Maxx, they seem to fit my bill very well, as much as the Toyo T/T or Fun Country.
But the price... it's steep! Where did you get yours, online?
 
I was looking at falken wildpeaks and duratracs and ended up with the falkens. Lots of recent experience in the snow and they handle great. Plus they were only $122 a tire. Way cheaper than duratracs. 265/70r18. Just my 2cents.
 
I was looking at falken wildpeaks and duratracs and ended up with the falkens. Lots of recent experience in the snow and they handle great. Plus they were only $122 a tire. Way cheaper than duratracs. 265/70r18. Just my 2cents.

You got P tires and not LTs I guess?
People seem to like the Falkens, I'll go check them out again tonight, thanks.

At some point I'll be knowledgeable enough to open a tire center hehe!
 
They only start at 17" wheels! That's really too bad, for one minute I thought I had the ones!

I noticed that too. I got sort of excited for a moment as I like this design, mostly due to the sidewall better than the Good Year Duratracs. Mind you, I have not had either. I have the KO2s and like them just fine. I have 16 wheels and I don't think that I like them enough to buy five new wheels. LOL.

Tire prices seem to be set on some sort of dynamic algorithm or something. They fluctuate wildly week to week sometimes. Although, I have noticed that the odder the size, and larger the size, it becomes more expensive, by a lot. I am running 265/75/16s at the moment, and they seem to be a reasonable size for availability and price. But, at some point, that might change so that 17" wheels offer more options and better price.

Another thing to keep in mind is that Discount Tire, (usually on eBay) runs pretty good specials during March and October. So if you need tires and can wait to catch a sale, then you might want to consider that.
 
For driving through the desert I presume 3 ply sidewalls would be desirable for cactus spines when I air way down?
 

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